Wicked star Jonathan Bailey announces decision to quit acting in bid for new charity role

Jonathan Bailey has revealed he is stepping away from his thriving acting career to dedicate time to LGBTQ+ charity work.

The 37-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers and the blockbuster musical Wicked, confirmed he is taking a break from Hollywood to focus on a charity he launched in 2024.

The Shameless Fund aims to support LGBTQ+ people across the globe in living “freely and authentically”.

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Bailey, who most recently appeared opposite Scarlett Johansson in Jurassic World Rebirth, explained that the decision came after he spent some time reflecting on the current state of the world.

“My acting career has been amazing and mind-blowing,” he told GQ. “But with everything happening in the world right now, I’ve decided to stop acting for a bit.”

He added: “Over the next few months, I'll be focusing on staffing and making sure we get all the right people in all the right places.”

Bailey went on to highlight how little charitable funding reaches the LGBTQ+ community. He explained: “There’s this statistic: out of every £100 raised in the UK, only 1p goes to the LGBTQ+ community. You really have to dig to find solutions, and I genuinely think The Shameless Fund is exactly that.”

Fans of the star will recognise the “slutty little glasses” Bailey wore throughout the Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth press tours, which have since inspired a charity collaboration with eyewear brand Cubitts.

Together, they’ve released a pink pair of shades named Loomis, after Bailey’s on-screen character Dr Loomis. “The colour pink is so important,” Bailey explained. “It’s an expression of joy and happiness, and it's incredibly flattering – a reason why I wore it so much during the Wicked press tour.”

The glasses retail for £150, with 50 per cent of proceeds going directly to The Shameless Fund. Cynthia Erivo and Scarlett Johansson have both shown their support by wearing the glasses ahead of their release.

Bailey’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality extends beyond his charity. He is a long-time supporter of Just Like Us, the charity behind the UK’s annual School Diversity Week.

This event is held in primary and secondary schools across the country to champion inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights.

Bailey previously said: “School Diversity Week is an incredible initiative that creates the inclusive environment every young person deserves. Growing up, I wish I had something like School Diversity Week to let me know it was OK to be myself.”

He has previously urged parents to become LGBT+ allies and has joined campaigns alongside Jessie Ware and DJ Annie Mac to tackle homophobic language in schools.

Despite his upcoming hiatus, Bailey has already formed an impressive career in the acting world. After earning an Emmy Award for Fellow Travelers, he was cast as Prince Fiyero for the cinematic adaptation of Wicked, which he starred in alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

The second instalment, Wicked: For Good, is due for release in November 2025. However, now he is determined to use the fame he has earned to make sure “every LGBTQ+ person can love freely, and thrive without the burdens of discrimination, oppression, or shame.”

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